Smart Business Magazine, December 2017

FRED KOURY FROM THE CEO Browns brand has been tarnished Jimmy Haslam needs to be a leader for beleaguered franchise FRED KOURY President and CEO Smart Business Network Inc is the publisher of Smart Business magazine and operates Convero a customer and employee engagement firm Fred is committed to focusing on relationships not transactions in everything he does 800 988 4726 fkoury@ sbnonline com www sbnonline com www converoinc com 8 Smart Business Cleveland December 2017 I n the midst of all that positive news however is the state of the Cleveland Browns Its not just that the team is losing games going 1 24 since the start of the 2016 season Those who remain loyal to the Browns would tell you that this is all part of the plan The team has released most of its veteran players to make way for younger talent that it hopes will get things turned around Thus far that talent has struggled and the NFLs youngest team is in contention to get the top pick in the draft for the second consecutive year The bigger problem is whats happening off the field and the reluctance of Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to take ownership for what has transpired Reports of friction between the front office and the coaching staff came to a head on Halloween Thats when a potential trade for veteran quarterback AJ McCarron was scuttled after the Browns failed to file the proper paperwork with the league office by the 4 p m deadline League observers have speculated that there was disagreement between the coaches and front office on the trade and perhaps even an attempt from within to sabotage the deal While his wife Dee reportedly called out the front office in private Mr Haslam has not made any public comments Aside from releasing a statement of support in September for players who chose to make a statement by kneeling during the national anthem the Haslams have for the most part not been making public appearances The Browns are an organization crying out for someone to take charge and show leadership While this franchise has only existed since 1999 it took on the name the colors and the history of a brand that was once a source of great pride for Cleveland and Browns fans around the world According to Browns Backers Worldwide there are roughly 355 clubs in 14 different countries that continue to bleed brown and orange and support the team That brand has been tarnished and the number of empty seats on Sundays at FirstEnergy Stadium continues to grow Mr Haslam has been criticized in the past for making rash decisions and not giving hired personnel a fair chance to turn the team around That may be the reason for his being reclusive Evidence would suggest this plan isnt working The city and the fans deserve an owner willing to take responsibility for the teams performance and communicate that to the public Mr Haslam owes them an explanation of his plan to build an organization the city can be proud of once again At the time of publication Cleveland has a lot of things going for it these days New construction projects are popping up all over the city businesses are growing and expanding and there is a steady flow of people making a move to live downtown facebook com SmartBusiness http on fb me 1RseSyO @ FredKoury linkedin com in fredkoury

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